Electric capacitor and dielectric material therefor



F. M. CLARK 475,592

ELECTRIC CAPACAITOR AND DIELECTRIC MATERIAL THEREFOR July 12;@9 1949.

Filed Oct. 17, 1946 Patented V1949 A UNI-TED `s'rATr-:s PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC CAPACITOR AND DIELECTRIC MATERIAL THEREFOR Frank M. clark, Pittsfield, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New Application October 17, 1946,v Serial No. '103,897

6 Claims. (Cl. F15- 41) The present invention comprises electric capacitors of improved characteristics containing as novel dielectric elements one or more esters of tetrahydro lfurfuryl alcohol.

Organic ester compositions as a class have heretofore been found to be unsuitable as dielectric materials. Their high dielectric loss has been considered as an inherent property, and their dielectric constant has not-been especially attractive. Many of the esters which have the least unsatisfactory dielectric loss values, such as methyl stearate and other esters of the higher molecular weight organic acids, are objectionable not only because of their low dielectric constant values which causes application as capacitor insulants to be uneconomic but also because of their melting or freezing point properties. A dielectric composition is objectionable if it boils or melts within the normal temperature range of commercial use. Methyl stearate melts at about 38 C. and methyl'palmitate melts at 28 C.

Generally speaking,`the object of my invention is to increase the electrical capacitance of an electric capacitor per unit of physical volume as compared to electric capacitors now commerciall available.

A more specific object of my invention is to produce an electric capacitor capable of operation at high frequency and at high voltage andwith high electrical emciency.

Another object of my invention is to supply an insulating liquid possessed of high electric capacitance and low dielectric loss and being. characterized by freezing point or such low temperature value that even in the most extreme environmental temperatures, solidiflcation with resulting loss in electrical capacitance will'not occur.

Y 'I'hese and other desirable advantages of my invention will be obvious -to one skilled in the art of capacitor manufacture and application especially in the art of capacitormanufacture and application at high frequency, meaning thereby the range of 10,000 cycles to one megacycle and higher, which is the band f frequency most commonly used .in the application of capacitors for industrial induction heating purposes.

I have discovered that esters of tetrahydro furiuryl alcohol unexpectedly possess not only high dielectric constants but also a combination of other properties which render such esters peculiarly well adapted for dielectric function in electric capacitors either alone or in combination with other dielectric materials.

The accompanying drawing shows in Fig. 1 a spaced plate form of capacitor in which my inven- 2 tion may be embodied; Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically another embodiment; and Fig. 3 is a graph of the dielectric constant-temperature relation of dielectric compositions of my present invention.

I have found that the esters of tetrahydro furfuryl alcohol possess unexpected advantage for capacitor application as the sole dielectric between mechanically spaced armatures (Fig. l) or as impregnants in a porous spacer for the armatures (Fig. 2). I have found that the organic esters of tetra furfuryl alcohol are characterized by low dielectric loss in the high frequency range normally used in industrial induction heaters and that each specific ester of tetra- Afui-yl ester of oxalic acid (tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate) as the sole dielectric between the mechanically spaced armatures of a xed plate capacitor..V

Y Fig. 1 illustrates a mechanically spaced xed plate type of capacitor, comprising a receptacle i containing a liquid dielectric composition consisting Vof. one or more esters of tetrahydro furfuryl alcohol. Immersed in such dielectric are spaced capacitor armatures 2, 3 which are connected by the conductors L 5 to terminalbushings E, 1. The construction has been indicated diagrammatically as it is well understood. Y

In Fig. 2 is shown a capacitor comprising the combination of closely juxtaposed armatures 8. 9 of aluminum or copper foil orother suitable Vconductive material and interposed layers III, I I. between the armatures of suitable organic or inorganic dielectric material of porous structure,

for example, woven vglass iiber, cheesecloth or paper.

In a flat plate capacitor construction, even a non-porous dielectric spacer, such as mica or glass may be advantageously combined with the chosen tetrahydro furfuryl ester in order to displace pocketed air between the armatures. Howplate design of Fig. 1 permits the full utilization of the unexpectedly high dielectric capacitance (dielectric constant) of the furfuryl esters while at the same time permitting easy removal o1' the heat generated during electrical operation at the high kilovolt-ampere values encountered. The rolled or wound type of capacitor illustrated in Fig. 2 is particularly applicable in many electronic applications where high microfarad capacitance at relatively low voltage is required. The spacing of the armatures by means of thin woven glass or cloth or equivalent material as stated gives a more economical and efficient way of separating the armatures at small gap spacings than is obtained with the fixed plate capacitor of Fig. 1. Since most materials suitable as spacing materials are of lower electrical capacitance than the tetrahydro furfuryl ester composition, the more porous spacing material is preferred. The

greater the amount of furfuryl ester contained between the capacitor armatures, the greater the electrical capacitance of the finished capacitor.

Illustrative of the advantages of my invention, is tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate. Tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate is a substantially colorless liquid which boils in the largest amount -between 280 C. and 290 C. when technically purified. Chemically pure tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate vis not required. In fact I have found that tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate which possesses a wide range of boiling point is equally applicable. Such a material consists of a blend of the dioxalate ester and small amounts of the mono-oxalate ester and I gives a boiling range between 170 and 290 C. although more than 90% boils between 256 and 290 C. and morethan 50% between 280 and 290 C. Such a liquid has a freezing point of about 54 C., a refractive index at 25 C. of about 1.4689 and a specific gravity-of about 1.204

at 15.5/15.5 C. It possesses a flash point of 5 about 152 C. and a burn point of about 176 C. Tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate is characterized by high dielectric strength and an unexpectedly high dielectric constant of about 11.5 which renders it perculiarly advantageous as a capacitor dielectric. Its low power factor at high frequency and its high dielectric constant at high frequency combine to make a dielectric of this composition both technically and economically advantageous. The high dielectric constant gives a capacitor provided therewith a high electrical capacitance per unit of physical volume. The low power factor prevents heat acciimulation with consequent hazard of overheating and the ultimate failure of the capacitor.

Graph l2 of Fig. 3 shows the dielectric constant of tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate ranges from about 11.5 at 25 C: to about 9 at 100 C. The dielectric constant of mineral oil over the same range of temperatures is about 2 to 2.25. Conventional liquid dielectric materials heretofore used in high frequency capacitor application possesses a dielectric constant of approximately 4. A tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate ester composition therefore 4 possesses marked advantage by reason of its high dielectric constant.

In a selected fixed plate capacitor of the type illustrated in Fig. 1 and possessing a 100 mil gap spacing suitable for voltage application at 5000 to 10,000 volts over the frequency range up to about one megacycle, the capacity was increased over five fold when tetrahydro furfuryl oxalatc replaced an oil dielectric therein. A typical capacitor containing mineral oil as dielectric had a capacity of 48 mm. farads. A similar capacitor of the same construction which in place of mineral oil contained as dielectric material tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate had a capacity of 248 mm. farads.

In like manner, when an open woven or highly porous or absorptive spacer is used to separa c the metal foil armatures of a wound capacitor such as is illustrated in Fig. 2 a similarly high capacitance value is obtained when the tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate functions as the liquid impregnant. The increase in capacity is highest when the amount of liquid permitted between the electrode armatures is a maximum (i. e., the moreabsorptive and porous the spacer). In a selected wound capacitor of the type illustrated in Fig. 2, aluminum foil armatures were separated by means ci a woven glass cloth .003 thick and having a woven mesh of glass threads 60 x 64 to to the inch. When treated with tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate, the capacity was increased about 21/2 times over Ithe capacity obtained with mineral oil impregnation, the capacity being increased from 384 mm. farads to 987 mm. farads.

Although I have illustrated my invention with reference to the tetrahydro furfuryl ester of oxalic acid (tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate) I do not wish to be so limited. I have found that other tetrahydro furfuryl esters are of similar advantage. Among these esters is tetrahydro furfuryl benzoyl benzoate. This ester possesses even greater dielectric capacitance than that possessed by the tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate. As shown in graps I3 of Fig. 3 the dielectric constant is about 13 at 25 C. and about 10 at 100 C. This dielectric oiiers even greater advantage in capacitance than tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate. Because of its higher freezing point (+8 C.). however, tetrahydro furfuryl benzoyl benzoate ordinarily is preferred as a dielectric for capacitors intended for environments where the temperature does not fall to lower than about 10 C. thus avoiding solidification of the ester. Such solidication would cause the formation of voids and gas pockets, thc presence of which promotes ionization discharge which ultimately leads to capacitor failure.

Tetrahydro furfuryl benzoyl benzoate when technically pure and suitable for use as described possesses the following approximate characteristics:

Light yellow yto colorless liquid- Refractive index (25 C.) 1.5754 Boiling range (1 mm. Hg.) C 200-225 Viscosity (S. U. 100 C.) seconds 75 Speciilc gravity (65/15.5 C.) 1.157 Pour or congealing point C +8 sirable properties described in the foregoing paragraphs are characterized by a freezing point which is lower than either of the constituents of the mixture and other additional advantages. In many applications of my new compositions it is desirable that the liquid dielectric shall "not solidify at temperatures at least as low as zero degrees centigrade. For such applications the tetrahydro furfuryl esters of stearic acid and oleic acidl are not suitable because oftheir melting points which are about and 18 C. re-

spectively. Solidiilcatlon results in void formaspecmc gravity c.) .933 Refractive index (25 C.) 1.4610 Power factor (1000 kilocycles) per cent .093

Other blends of the oleate and stearate also possess lower Afreezing points than either ofthe constituents. A blend consisting of equal parts of the esters congeals at l11 C.v

In like manner other esters o! tetrahydro ful'- furyl alcohol may be employed with similarly advantageous results. I may employ compositions of organic esters, only one of which is the tetrahydro furfuryl alcohol ester. For example, dibutyl sebacate is an organic ester which possesses excellent dielectric characteristics for capacitor use at high frequency except that it has a congealing point of about 5 C. and a dielectric constant of only about 4.4. A composition consisting by weight of 75 parts of the dibutyl sebacate'and 25 parts o! tetrahydro furfuryl benzoyl benzoate (melting point 8 C.) has a dielectric constant of about 6.4 at 1000 kilocycles and a congealing point of 15 C. Even more advantageous results are obtained with a composition comprising 75 parts of such benzoyl benzoate and 25 parts oi the dibutyl sebacate. Such y a composition congeals at '22 C. and has a dielectic constant of 11.3 tested at 1000 kilocycles. This composition is characterized by a speciilc gravity at 15.5/15.5 C. oi' 1.125 and a refractive index at 25 C. of 1.5339.

other organic acid esters of tetrahydro turiuryl alcohol which I have found to possess suitable characteristics and which I desire to include within the scope of my invention are the tetrahydro i'urfuryl esters of ricinoleic acid, caprylic acid and palmitic acid.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electric capacitor comprising the combination of cooperating armatures and -a dielectric therebetween consisting essentially or! a liquid ester of tetrahydro furiuryl alcohol.

2. An electric capacitor comprising the combination of cooperating armatures and a dielectric therebetween consisting essentially of tetrahydro furfuryl oxalate. l

3. An electric capacitor comprising the com.- bination of cooperating' armatures, a spacer ci porous material therebetween, vand an iml1 pregnant therefor consisting of liquid esterl oi' tetrahydro furfuryl alcohol.

4. An electric capacitor comprising the combination orf cooperating armatures, a spacer of porous material therebetweenf and an impregnant therefore .consisting of liquid ester of tetrahydro iurfmyl benzoyl benzoate.

5. An electric capacitor comprising the combination of cooperating armatures and a dielectric therebetween consisting essentially of an esterof tetrahydro urfuryl alcohol.

6. A high frequency'capacitor comprising a container, spaced cooperating armatures therein, and a dielectric between said armatures consisting essentially oi a liquid ester of tetrahydro furfuryl alcohol.

FRANKMCLARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED .STATES PATENTS Number Hyde June 5, 1945 

